US: International student applications drop by 10% as administration restricts and delays visa deliveries

The number of international students applying to attend US colleges in autumn 2026 has dropped by 10%, the biggest decline in at least a decade, according to data from the most widely used college application platform, Common App, published on 20/08/2026.

Nearly 16,000 fewer foreign students applied to US higher education institutions in 2026 than in 2025. This decrease could be linked to the Trump administration's efforts to restrict overseas students from entering the country, including by changing visa rules. The report shows that the drop in international applications doesn't follow the domestic trend, with US applicants rising by 4% compared to 2025.

"There was a pronounced drop in applicants from Asia (-11%) and Africa (-17%), with notable declines in applicants from India (-15%) and…